Bloodline666
12-04-2005, 10:58 PM
Source: Palm Beach Post (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2005/12/04/z7b_heat_1204.html)
Sunday, December 04, 2005
DENVER — A day after the Heat's best road victory of the season — Friday's 98-87 win at Sacramento — there was more good news.
Center Shaquille O'Neal, who has missed 15 games with a sprained right ankle, said he'll practice Tuesday and could play in Wednesday's game at San Antonio.
"I'm going to practice Tuesday and see how hard I can go, and the true test is always the next day after that," he said. "We'll just wait until Tuesday and then we'll just see what happens."
The theory on O'Neal has been that he'll most likely return for one of Miami's next two home games, either Dec. 9 against Denver or Dec. 11 against Washington, and that still seems probable.
Should that not happen, O'Neal said he'll take as much time as he needs, and won't have extra motivation to return for the Christmas Day game against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
"I just want to get back out there with the guys and try to complete what we want to get done," he said. "I'm not going to let that particular game influence me to come back because it's not that important to me, especially on that day."
O'Neal said he still hasn't tried to move from side to side, but said he's about "85 percent" healthy going straight ahead.
"I have orders from the powers not to come back until I'm 100 percent," O'Neal said. "Strict orders."
While O'Neal recovers, the Heat is doing fine with 35-year-old Alonzo Mourning at center. Mourning, the league leader in blocked shots at 4.1 per game, had seven blocks against the Kings.
"He's the best center in the league right now," O'Neal said of Mourning. "He's playing well, very impressive out there. A guy his age, a guy in his condition, it's just a joy to watch."
Mourning also had 12 points against the Kings, but his most impressive work continues to be on defense. He was dunked on by Sacramento's Shareef Abdur-Rahim, but blocked Abdur-Rahim's shot three times.
Mourning was so impressive that Kings guard Bonzi Wells said it almost made him wish O'Neal were in the middle.
Miami's back court of Dwyane Wade (27 points, seven assists) and Jason Williams (20 points, eight assists) powered Miami's offense. But so did shooting 11-for-21 on three-pointers and hitting 15 of 18 free throws.
And in winning back-to-back road games for the first time this season, Miami also outrebounded and outhustled Sacramento.
"Overall the last three games we've defended harder, we've rebounded better and I think we're taking it more seriously," coach Stan Van Gundy said.
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In layman's terms, keep an eye peeled for Shaq in uniform on Wednesday. If he does play on Wednesday, then the Spurs will have a little more difficulty beating the Heat at the SBC Center.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
DENVER — A day after the Heat's best road victory of the season — Friday's 98-87 win at Sacramento — there was more good news.
Center Shaquille O'Neal, who has missed 15 games with a sprained right ankle, said he'll practice Tuesday and could play in Wednesday's game at San Antonio.
"I'm going to practice Tuesday and see how hard I can go, and the true test is always the next day after that," he said. "We'll just wait until Tuesday and then we'll just see what happens."
The theory on O'Neal has been that he'll most likely return for one of Miami's next two home games, either Dec. 9 against Denver or Dec. 11 against Washington, and that still seems probable.
Should that not happen, O'Neal said he'll take as much time as he needs, and won't have extra motivation to return for the Christmas Day game against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
"I just want to get back out there with the guys and try to complete what we want to get done," he said. "I'm not going to let that particular game influence me to come back because it's not that important to me, especially on that day."
O'Neal said he still hasn't tried to move from side to side, but said he's about "85 percent" healthy going straight ahead.
"I have orders from the powers not to come back until I'm 100 percent," O'Neal said. "Strict orders."
While O'Neal recovers, the Heat is doing fine with 35-year-old Alonzo Mourning at center. Mourning, the league leader in blocked shots at 4.1 per game, had seven blocks against the Kings.
"He's the best center in the league right now," O'Neal said of Mourning. "He's playing well, very impressive out there. A guy his age, a guy in his condition, it's just a joy to watch."
Mourning also had 12 points against the Kings, but his most impressive work continues to be on defense. He was dunked on by Sacramento's Shareef Abdur-Rahim, but blocked Abdur-Rahim's shot three times.
Mourning was so impressive that Kings guard Bonzi Wells said it almost made him wish O'Neal were in the middle.
Miami's back court of Dwyane Wade (27 points, seven assists) and Jason Williams (20 points, eight assists) powered Miami's offense. But so did shooting 11-for-21 on three-pointers and hitting 15 of 18 free throws.
And in winning back-to-back road games for the first time this season, Miami also outrebounded and outhustled Sacramento.
"Overall the last three games we've defended harder, we've rebounded better and I think we're taking it more seriously," coach Stan Van Gundy said.
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In layman's terms, keep an eye peeled for Shaq in uniform on Wednesday. If he does play on Wednesday, then the Spurs will have a little more difficulty beating the Heat at the SBC Center.